With the provincial election just 10 weeks away, NDP leader John Horgan spent Saturday morning rallying party members in a packed Vancouver hotel conference room while laying out a broad plan for victory.
At the party’s final provincial council meeting before voters go to the polls May 9, Horgan spurred cries of “Shame!” from the room early in his speech when he made mention of past B.C. Liberal cuts to education and understaffed care homes.
“How long did that take? I’m always mindful of that. The first ‘Shame!’ is where I always have to stop and take a glass of water,” said Horgan, drawing laughter. He then called for one more “Shame!” on behalf of seniors before taking a sip.
The party is set to ramp up its public presence in the coming months in order to get its message to voters province-wide as it aims to unseat the Liberals, who have held power since 2001.
Horgan told party members they have three key tasks before them: Create good-paying jobs; make living in the province more affordable; and ensure public services are available to those who need them. He said $10-a-day childcare and improved public education “are the foundation of our offer.”
After his speech, Horgan told reporters he believes British Columbians are ready for change.
“I think they’re yearning for a government that puts them first,” he said. “They’ve had, for too long, a government that’s only focused on the wealthy and the well-connected.
“Now’s the time to have a government that has people at the centre making sure we’re providing services, making sure we’re creating jobs and, most importantly, we have an affordable British Columbia.”
Horgan said the party will lay out its fiscal plan in the coming weeks based on an analysis of the Liberal budget delivered Tuesday.
He reiterated several promises made since he became party leader in May 2014. He slammed hikes in Medical Services Plan premiums and ICBC and B.C. Hydro rates under the Liberals and said his party still plans to implement a $15 minimum wage, to be introduced in steps and in consultation with small businesses.
On housing affordability, Horgan said more supply is needed to bring down cost, which would require senior levels of government to co-operate with municipalities. Horgan said he would meet with mayors on housing in tandem with their work on transportation.
Asked about disability assistance, Horgan said his focus would be “first and foremost with the most vulnerable.”
To end the overdose crisis, Horgan said his party believes the Riverview Hospital lands in Coquitlam would be an appropriate site for the delivery of addictions and mental-health treatment, a plan the current government already announced in 2015.
